Rep. Richmond Vows to Support Louisiana’s River Parishes

Washington, DC- Cedric Richmond (LA-02), today commended the river parish presidents for meeting with him on Capitol Hill to discuss the concerns of constituents in St. Charles, St. James, and St. John parishes. The Congressman met with the three parish presidents along with representatives of the River Region Chamber of Commerce, Greater New Orleans Inc., and the Pontchartrain Levee District.

“I commend these three parish presidents for proactively representing their constituents before Congress,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond. “In the wake of Isaac, it is impressive that they are already working as a team to deliver results for their parishes on the most important issue of the day – flood protection.  I am committed to working with these parishes and President Obama to secure the hurricane protection the citizens of St. Charles, St. James and St. John Parishes deserve.”

This meeting comes just weeks after Hurricane Isaac swept through the Gulf Coast causing significant damage throughout the river parish region. 

"It was critical that we met with our representatives before the recess,” said St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom. “The people of St. John need help now and Congressman Richmond is committed to working with President Obama to get that help.”

President Obama has issued a disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana which includes federal disaster Individual Assistance for Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and, St. Charles Parishes. Federal Disaster Assistance helps eligible applicants with emergency home repairs, temporary housing, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster. It also helps cover other disaster-related expenses and needs.

“I was impressed with the Congressman’s knowledge of our issues and his plan to help the three parishes,” said St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre.  “His attention to detail during the storm was on point. His pledge to work with all congressional leaders is refreshing.”

“We need a unified voice for hurricane protection because this is not just a river parish or a state problem, but a national problem,”  said St. James Parish President Timmy Roussel.